Device for supporting shades



(No Model.).

W MQOORMAGK DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING SHADES, 8w.

Patented Oct. 21, 1890.

INVENTOR mfg ii (P ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM MOOORMAOK, OF \VEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING SHADES, 84.0.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 438,857, dated October 21, 1890.

Application filed October 17, 1889. $erial No. 327,333- (No model.)

To all? whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM MoGoRMAoK, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Chester, in the county of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Supporting Shades, 850., of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, of which- I Figure 1 .is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the device as in use. Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof detached. Fig. 3 is a full transverse section, as on the line 00 m, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective of a slight modification.

The main object of this invention is to provide a simple and efficient means whereby roller-shades and the like of various widths can be readily suspended from window and other frames without in anywise altering the shade or its roller, and without injuring or defacing the frame-work by screw-brackets or similar fixtures.

To this end my invention consists in a novel construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter fully explained and duly claimed.

Referring to the annexed drawings, A, Fig. 1, represents the upper portion of a windowframe; B, my attachment mounted therein, and C an ordinary. spring-roller shade suspended from said attachment. The latter consists of an extensible rod having at its ends pointed pins 1), which are forced or intended to be forced into the sides of the frame. This rod in its preferred form comprises two or more telescoping tubular sections. There are three in the present instance, a middle section b, with two sliding end sections 11 The extremities of the middle section, as also the outer ends of the end sections, are plugged or otherwise headed, and within each end section, bearing against the opposed heads, is a compression-spring B, which acts to force out said section. In the latter there is also astop-pin 17 which enters and travels in a guide-slot b in the adjacent portion of the middle section.' This pin and slot act as a guide and stop for the end section in its longitudinal projection.

To apply the rod to a window-frame of awid th within the range of extension of the rod, it is merely required to push the end sections in upon the middle section against the stress of the springs and then placing the rod between the sides of the frame to release the end sections, which will thereupon be thrust outward against such sides by the respective springs. By slight pressure the end pins will enter the wood and the application will be complete. To remove the rod, the operation just described is reversed.

When applied, it will be evident that an ordinary downward pull will not release the rod, as the springs will always act to hold the pins in place.

Depending from the end sections b are roller brackets or supports b between and in which the journals 0 of an ordinary shaderoller are adapted to be mounted. These brackets I make horizontally adjustable on the rod, so that they may be set to accommodate rollers of different lengths. A good construction for this purpose is as follows: Each bracket is provided with a ring b which encircles the rod, and is freely movable thereon, and working in the sides of this ring is a set screw b whose end bears against the rod. By properly turning the screw the bracket will be released and may be adjusted on the rod, as desired, and by returning the screw the bracket will be securely fixed at the point of adjustment. This bracket construction is more particularly intended for use in connection with spring-roller shades, where rigidity is required, but for cord-and-pulley or similar shades and curtains I make the brackets of stout wire bent into suitable shape and formed wit-h curved hooks h, Fig. 4:, which are designed to enter vertical holes in the end sections. Each end section has a series of these holes, so that the brackets may be hooked at any desired point on the section, as occasion may require. (See Fig. 4.)

In cases where it is or may be required to set the rod at various points of vertical adj ustment in the window-frame, as when used to support curtains, &c.,lprefer to substitute for the end pins rubber plugs b, which are partly forced into the ends of the outer sections, as also shown in Fig. 4. The outward pressure of the confined springs forces these plugs against the sides of the window-frame, and the rod is thus firmly supported by friction at the desired point of adjustment.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that my attachment may be readily applied to window-frames of diiferent sizes and be as readily removed therefrom, and that when the device is so applied rollershades of varying sizes may be used in connection therewith.

Although Ihave shown and described what I believe to be the best and simplest c011- structions of my device, I do not wish it to be understood that I restrict myself specifically thereto, as the same may be modified by any intelligent mechanic without departing from the spirit of the invention; nor is the invention confined to the specific use hereinbefore set forth, as it may be readily adapted to other purposes.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent An adjustable supporting-rod comprising telescoping tubular sections, the extremities of the middle section and the outer ends of the end sections being plugged or headed, as described, the springs disposed within the said end sections so as to bear against the opposed heads or plugs, respectively, and sharp-pointed pins projecting longitudinally from the heads or plugs of the end sections, said pins adapted to be forced into the inner sides of the frame within which the rod is mounted in order to hold said rod in place, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 28th day of September, A. D. 1889.

WILLIAM MCOORMAOK.

Witnesses:

JAS. E. 1\ICFARLAN, DAVIS HAUSE. 

